4 Keys That Change Everything

by Judith Katz and Frederick Miller

Publication date: 03/01/2013

This book offers four keys to higher performance, greater collaboration, and game-changing leaps forward in speed and quality of decision making, problem solving, and the ability to create breakthroughs.

Four simple, proven steps that fundamentally change the quality and nature of workplace interactions

*An easy-to-use guide that will help people at every organizational level work together more productively

*Written by two pioneers in workforce transformation

Your people might be your organization's greatest assets, but their interactions with one another are what determine the quality and the quantity of their contributions. Too many neglect this basic truth and fail to create the sense of excitement, energy, and shared mission that occurs when people truly join together.

In this concise, engaging book, Judith Katz and Fred Miller describe four deceptively simple behavioral guidelines that fundamentally change the way people work together:

▪Lean into Discomfort: Encourage yourself and others to move beyond comfort zones, speak up, do new things, and grow.

▪Listen as an Ally: Work to understand and build on others' ideas instead of sitting in judgment of them.

▪State Your Intent and Intensity: Why make them guess? Let people know how committed you are to your ideas.

▪Share Your Street Corners: Actively seek out others' perspectives to see all sides of the story.

Katz and Miller show exactly how to put each of these behaviors into practice and offer examples demonstrating the extraordinary impact these concepts have had in building greater trust, understanding, and collaboration. This book is for any individual or team from the shop floor to the executive suite in search of higher performance, greater collaboration, and game-changing leaps forward in speed and quality of decision making, problem solving, and the ability to create breakthroughs.

Four simple, proven steps that fundamentally change the quality and nature of workplace interactions

An easy-to-use guide that will help people at every organizational level work together more productively

Written by two pioneers in workforce transformation

Your people might be your organization's greatest assets, but their interactions with one another are what determine the quality and the quantity of their contributions. Too many neglect this basic truth and fail to create the sense of excitement, energy, and shared mission that occurs when people truly join together.

In this concise, engaging book, Judith Katz and Fred Miller describe four deceptively simple behavioral guidelines that fundamentally change the way people work together:

Lean into Discomfort: Encourage yourself and others to move beyond comfort zones, speak up, do new things, and grow.

Listen as an Ally: Work to understand and build on others' ideas instead of sitting in judgment of them.

State Your Intent and Intensity: Why make them guess? Let people know how committed you are to your ideas.

Share Your Street Corners: Actively seek out others' perspectives to see all sides of the story.

Katz and Miller show exactly how to put each of these behaviors into practice and offer examples demonstrating the extraordinary impact these concepts have had in building greater trust, understanding, and collaboration. This book is for any individual or team from the shop floor to the executive suite in search of higher performance, greater collaboration, and game-changing leaps forward in speed and quality of decision making, problem solving, and the ability to create breakthroughs.

Four simple, proven steps that fundamentally change the quality and nature of workplace interactions*An easy-to-use guide that will help people at every organizational level work together more productively*Written by two pioneers in workforce transformationYour people might be your organization's greatest assets, but their interactions with one another are what determine the quality and the quantity of their contributions. Too many neglect this basic truth and fail to create the sense of excitement, energy, and shared mission that occurs when people truly join together.In this concise, engaging book, Judith Katz and Fred Miller describe four deceptively simple behavioral guidelines that fundamentally change the way people work together: ▪Lean into Discomfort: Encourage yourself and others to move beyond comfort zones, speak up, do new things, and grow. ▪Listen as an Ally: Work to understand and build on others' ideas instead of sitting in judgment of them.▪State Your Intent and Intensity: Why make them guess? Let people know how committed you are to your ideas. ▪Share Your Street Corners: Actively seek out others' perspectives to see all sides of the story. Katz and Miller show exactly how to put each of these behaviors into practice and offer examples demonstrating the extraordinary impact these concepts have had in building greater trust, understanding, and collaboration. This book is for any individual or team from the shop floor to the executive suite in search of higher performance, greater collaboration, and game-changing leaps forward in speed and quality of decision making, problem solving, and the ability to create breakthroughs.

This book offers four keys to higher performance, greater collaboration, and game-changing leaps forward in speed and quality of decision making, problem solving, and the ability to create breakthroughs.

Four simple, proven steps that fundamentally change the quality and nature of workplace interactions

*An easy-to-use guide that will help people at every organizational level work together more productively

*Written by two pioneers in workforce transformation

Your people might be your organization's greatest assets, but their interactions with one another are what determine the quality and the quantity of their contributions. Too many neglect this basic truth and fail to create the sense of excitement, energy, and shared mission that occurs when people truly join together.

In this concise, engaging book, Judith Katz and Fred Miller describe four deceptively simple behavioral guidelines that fundamentally change the way people work together:

▪Lean into Discomfort: Encourage yourself and others to move beyond comfort zones, speak up, do new things, and grow.

▪Listen as an Ally: Work to understand and build on others' ideas instead of sitting in judgment of them.

▪State Your Intent and Intensity: Why make them guess? Let people know how committed you are to your ideas.

▪Share Your Street Corners: Actively seek out others' perspectives to see all sides of the story.

Katz and Miller show exactly how to put each of these behaviors into practice and offer examples demonstrating the extraordinary impact these concepts have had in building greater trust, understanding, and collaboration. This book is for any individual or team from the shop floor to the executive suite in search of higher performance, greater collaboration, and game-changing leaps forward in speed and quality of decision making, problem solving, and the ability to create breakthroughs.

Four simple, proven steps that fundamentally change the quality and nature of workplace interactions

An easy-to-use guide that will help people at every organizational level work together more productively

Written by two pioneers in workforce transformation

Your people might be your organization's greatest assets, but their interactions with one another are what determine the quality and the quantity of their contributions. Too many neglect this basic truth and fail to create the sense of excitement, energy, and shared mission that occurs when people truly join together.

In this concise, engaging book, Judith Katz and Fred Miller describe four deceptively simple behavioral guidelines that fundamentally change the way people work together:

Lean into Discomfort: Encourage yourself and others to move beyond comfort zones, speak up, do new things, and grow.

Listen as an Ally: Work to understand and build on others' ideas instead of sitting in judgment of them.

State Your Intent and Intensity: Why make them guess? Let people know how committed you are to your ideas.

Share Your Street Corners: Actively seek out others' perspectives to see all sides of the story.

Katz and Miller show exactly how to put each of these behaviors into practice and offer examples demonstrating the extraordinary impact these concepts have had in building greater trust, understanding, and collaboration. This book is for any individual or team from the shop floor to the executive suite in search of higher performance, greater collaboration, and game-changing leaps forward in speed and quality of decision making, problem solving, and the ability to create breakthroughs.

Four simple, proven steps that fundamentally change the quality and nature of workplace interactions*An easy-to-use guide that will help people at every organizational level work together more productively*Written by two pioneers in workforce transformationYour people might be your organization's greatest assets, but their interactions with one another are what determine the quality and the quantity of their contributions. Too many neglect this basic truth and fail to create the sense of excitement, energy, and shared mission that occurs when people truly join together.In this concise, engaging book, Judith Katz and Fred Miller describe four deceptively simple behavioral guidelines that fundamentally change the way people work together: ▪Lean into Discomfort: Encourage yourself and others to move beyond comfort zones, speak up, do new things, and grow. ▪Listen as an Ally: Work to understand and build on others' ideas instead of sitting in judgment of them.▪State Your Intent and Intensity: Why make them guess? Let people know how committed you are to your ideas. ▪Share Your Street Corners: Actively seek out others' perspectives to see all sides of the story. Katz and Miller show exactly how to put each of these behaviors into practice and offer examples demonstrating the extraordinary impact these concepts have had in building greater trust, understanding, and collaboration. This book is for any individual or team from the shop floor to the executive suite in search of higher performance, greater collaboration, and game-changing leaps forward in speed and quality of decision making, problem solving, and the ability to create breakthroughs.

Fueled by her passion for addressing systemic barriers and known for her boundless energy and sharp analytical mind, Judith Katz brings more than 30 years of experience to her work in strategic culture change.

Her work is an extension of her lifelong commitment to championing fairness, respect for all people and social justice and she was recently recognized for this by Profiles in Diversity Journal, which named her one of 40 Pioneers of Diversity (August/September 2007).

She joined The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group, Inc. in 1985 and currently serves as Executive Vice President and Client Brand Lead. She is responsible for ensuring that the Kaleel Jamison brand is delivered consistently across clients.

In 2004, Judith was awarded the DTUI Cultural Competency Award and Voices of Inclusion Medallion ACPA.

She is the co-author with Frederick A. Miller of Be BIG: Step Up, Step Out, Be Bold (Berrett-Koehler, 2008) and The Inclusion Breakthrough: Unleashing the Real Power of Diversity (Berrett-Koehler, 2002). She is co-editor of The Promise of Diversity (Irwin/NTL, 1994) and the author of White Awareness: Handbook for Anti Racism Training (University of Oklahoma Press, 1978, 2003).

Frederick A. Miller is the CEO of The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group, Inc. In his 30-plus years of experience, he has developed and implemented strategies that increase engagement, team and individual performance and culture alignment with organizations’ marketplace needs. Frederick was recognized for his work when he was named one of 40 Pioneers of Diversity by Profiles in Diversity Journal (August/September 2007). He also was noted as one of the forerunners of corporate change in The Age of Heretics (Currency Doubleday, 1996, 2008). In 2007, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Organization Development Network. He is the co-author with Judith H. Katz of Be BIG: Step Up, Step Out, Be Bold (Berrett-Koehler, 2008) and The Inclusion Breakthrough: Unleashing the Real Power of Diversity (Berrett-Koehler, 2002). He is managing editor of The Promise of Diversity (Irwin/NTL, 1994).

Introduction

We know this is a BIG statement. These 4 Keys do change every interaction. We have seen it. We have lived it. And yes, we understand why you might be skeptical.

We would doubt such a BIG claim. But we have observed these keys at work in organizations all over the world.

The Keys provide a common language that everyone can use. They are simple and powerful.

KEY #1 LEAN INTO DISCOMFORTOpening the Door to Trust

KEY #2 LISTEN AS AN ALLYOpening the Door to Collaboration

KEY #3 STATE YOUR INTENT AND INTENSITYOpening the Door to Understanding

KEY #4 SHARE YOUR STREET CORNEROpening the Door to Breakthroughs

KEY #1 OPENS THE DOOR TO TRUST

Opening this door feels like I am taking a risk, but if I want greater teamwork and collaboration, I need to Lean into the Discomfort I feel in order to get to know you better. How else can we work together? How else can we solve problems and eliminate confusion and wasted effort?

When I Lean into Discomfort I help make it safer to be honest and open with you. As I feel safer and you feel safer, we can open the Door to Trust. Unless I am willing to Lean into Discomfort, the door to those possibilities and potential will remain closed.

KEY #2 OPENS THE DOOR TO COLLABORATION

When I Listen as an Ally, it enables me to hear what you, my team members and colleagues, are saying, and all of us to build on each other’s ideas.

Slowing down to hear you is the key that unlocks the door to collaboration, which results in faster achievement of our goals.

KEY #3 OPENS THE DOOR TO UNDERSTANDING

When you State Your Intent and Intensity, it helps me, my team members, and my colleagues take the guesswork out of suggestions or directions and opens the door to greater understanding of each other. Stating my Intent and Intensity does the same for you.

As the door to understanding is opened, I see how to contribute more quickly, confidently, and decisively. When I know how best to contribute, I know how to add value; and if you do the same, we can each add greater value. And this combined greater value results in our saving time as we achieve Right First Time interactions.

KEY #4 OPENS THE DOOR TO BREAKTHROUGHS

When you Share Your Street Corner and I share mine, we learn to hear differences as contributions, rather than as sources of conflict. As we share our different perspectives, we can see the fuller 360-degree view, use our combined resources, and achieve breakthroughs none of us could have envisioned or accomplished alone.

By using all 4 Keys, the doors to trust, collaboration, and understanding are opened, and the door to breakthroughs unlocks.

Using the 4 Keys Starts with Joining

Judging or Joining? Every interaction begins with this critical decision, and it impacts everything that follows. We do it so quickly and automatically that we are usually not even aware of it.

When I meet you, do I join you—see you as a friend, an ally, someone on the same side of the table? Or do I judge you—size you up, wonder if you are someone not to be trusted, engage cautiously with you, and deny you the benefit of the doubt?

If I decide to join you, I treat you as someone worthy of respect. I listen, am open, extend trust, share information. I am willing to have honest and perhaps difficult conversations. I seek to learn from you. I give you the benefit of the doubt.

If I truly want to open doors to teamwork and collaboration, I need to start by seeing what I could gain from joining you.

Rather than believing I am better off going it alone, I begin to believe that the best way to succeed is through partnership and collaboration. And by joining you, I am investing in our partnership with the expectation that we will connect and together do great things.

If we begin by truly joining, we have the ability to open many doors and unlock the potential and power each of us can bring to the team and to the larger organization. But we have heard others say …

“Joining is difficult.”

“It is hard to trust others and to earn their trust.”

“It is hard to listen to others, especially when theyare not saying things I want or expect to hear.”

“And it is very, very hard to actively seek out andsupport perspectives that are different from my ownto make sure all Street Corners are heard from.”

We used to think these things too.

But when we began to observe the 4 Keys in action, we noticed that people quickly made them a way of life in their organizations—and in their personal lives as well. People actually like to practice these simple Keys; and when used, these 4 Keys change Everything. We invite you to join us as we open new doors.

"This book is filled with wonderful common sense; alas, uncommonly practiced. Anyone who wants to improve their own communication and their team's collaboration skills cannot come away untouched."

--Beverly Kaye

Founder, Co-CEO: Career Systems International

Co-Author: Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go: Career Conversations Employees Want

"Judith and Fred share four simple but powerful keys that will help you and your colleagues knock down barriers and create a winning team. Regardless of organizational level, your team will form a lasting bond that upholds an idiom my associates and I learned long ago: No one of us is as smart as all of us."

--Ken Blanchard

Co-author of The One Minute Manager® and Great Leaders Grow

"The beauty of Opening Doors is its ability to translate complex human interactions into simple but meaningful language that helps leaders unlock the potential of their organization and initiate transformational culture change that will result in more engaged employees, higher productivity, increased performance and stronger, more sustainable business results."

--Rohini Anand

Senior Vice President & Global Chief Diversity Officer

Sodexo

"This book is a laser beam on what makes work and all other relationships work. It declares that face-to-face relationships, not technology, not clear objectives, vision and metrics are what make organizations adaptive and sustainable."

--Peter Block

Author: Flawless Consulting

"This book is the best training I've received on how to achieve breakthroughs for greater performance. Devoid of jargon, it demonstrates brilliantly how countless opportunities can arise when we choose to have more collaborative moments in life."

--Michelle Martin

Radio Personality and Host of "The Wow Club" 938LIVE, Mediacorp Radio, Singapore

Judge at the Singapore Book Publishers Association Publishing Awards 2012